Opera's Free VPN Arrives on Desktop

Opera today became the first major browser to release a built-in VPN service.

Security-conscious Web surfers can now tap into the company's free and unlimited virtual private network via the Opera desktop browser.

"If people knew how the Internet truly works, I believe they all would use a VPN," Krystian Kolondra, senior vice president of Opera browser for computers, said in a statement.

Simply download the Opera for computers browser, then navigate to Settings (Preferences on Mac) > Privacy & Security > toggle on free VPN. An icon labeled "VPN" will appear to the left of the address field; click it to activate the private network and choose a prefered location.

The VPN creates a secure connection to the US, Canada, Germany, Singapore, or the Netherlands, promising online privacy and security while providing easy access to certain content.

Unsure of where to route your online operations? Turn on automatic location mode to let the browser select the optimal server based on network speed, latency, location, and capacity.

"By making our browser VPN free and easy to use, we hope to make it an essential tool, just as the lock and key is to your house," Kolondra said.

Powered by Opera subsidiary SurfEasy, the new browser feature utilizes a secure 256-bit AES encrypted connection, and will not store any information about a user's browsing history.

Today's Web launch follows Opera's release of its free VPN to iOS and Android. The Apple-friendly feature arrived in May to block ads in Safari, Chrome, and other apps; prevent trackers from following users; and let folks access blocked websites.

Similarly, the Android app blocks ad-tracking cookies and tests wireless network security, among other features. Users of either program can change their virtual location by connecting to one of five regions and borrowing an IP address from that area.

"We know that people are concerned about their privacy online and that the interest for VPN is increasing," Kolondra said. "However, two major obstacles are blocking people from using it: VPNs are too complicated to use, and they require a monthly subscription. Opera resolves both issues."

RELATED BY

Daily Steals is currently running a deal on the Moto 360 Sport that is borderline impulse-buy area.In recent months, it has been permanently dropped to under $200, but this is still a solid discount on an Android Wear watch with GPS.

Want to force a multi-billion dollar phone company to make something you like?Voting has now started in ZTE's Project CSX, the company's attempt to harness the collective wisdom of the Internet to select its next great device.